Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 737: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the level of TB incidence in County Mayo in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41453/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The incidence of Bovine TB in Mayo in the period 2009-11 was as follows:

2009 2.60%

2010 1.95%

2011 1.81% (provisional)

Although TB levels in Mayo are generally significantly lower than the average for the country as a whole, the downward trend in Mayo is similar to the rest of the country. I am pleased to be able to report that there has been a significant improvement in the incidence of this disease nationally over the last few years. For example, herd incidence has fallen from 7.7% in 1999 to 4.1% last year and reactor numbers in 2011 were, at 18,500, the lowest recorded since the commencement of the TB eradication programme in the 1950's.

My Department will continue to monitor and review the effectiveness and efficiency of the programme on an ongoing basis with a view to the eventual eradication of this disease in all areas.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 738: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that farmers are only compensated for the actual number of animals confirmed to have TB when, in fact, the entire herd is locked up as a result of one or more going down with the disease. [41454/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the TB/Brucellosis Eradication Scheme, compensation is paid to farmers who suffer a TB breakdown and who have animals removed under the scheme, provided they comply with the rules governing the Diseases Eradication Schemes, with identification regulations and other national/EU legislative requirements and controls relating to bovine animals.

The main elements of the existing compensation regime are as follows: The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme: This scheme is designed to compensate herdowners for the loss of animals removed under the eradication programme and is based on the market value of animals (i.e. the equivalent price which might reasonably be obtained for the animal if the animal were not affected by TB), subject to certain ceilings. Valuations are carried out by suitably qualified valuers and there is an appeal/arbitration system in place. Depopulation Grant: This grant is available to a herdowner whose herd is depopulated (totally or partially) for TB. The objective of this scheme is to compensate farmers for the loss in income (e.g. from milk sales) during the restriction period. Income Supplement: Income Supplement is payable in cases where disease breakdown results in the removal of more than 10% of animals in a herd and where depopulation does not take place. As in the case of the Depopulation grant scheme, the objective of this scheme is to compensate farmers for the loss in income (e.g. from milk sales) during the restriction period when a significant number of cattle are removed as reactor. Hardship Grant: This Scheme is designed to alleviate the additional costs, in particular feed costs, of some owners whose holdings remain restricted following a full herd re-test and where animals are retained and fed during periods of restriction in the Autumn/Winter period. The Hardship Grant eligibility period runs from 1 November to 30 April each year.

I am satisfied that these compensation arrangements provide a very comprehensive range of financial supports to herdowners whose herds are restricted as a result of a TB breakdown in their herd. I should point out that herds restricted under the TB Eradication scheme may continue to supply milk from non-reactor animals and can continue to send cattle direct to slaughter on permit.